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UNITED STATES OF AMEEICA. 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE 



EMBRACING EXPERIENCES AND OBSER- 

YATIONS FROM A PASTORATE 

OF FORTY YEARS. 



By the Rev. REUBEN" SMITH. 



V 

PHILADELPHIA : 

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. 

NO. 821 CHESTNUT STKEET. 






fi 



•>% 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by 

JAMES DUNLAP, Treas., 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District 

of Pennsylvania. 



STEHEOTFPED BF 

JESPER HARDING & SON, 

INQUIRER BUILDING, SOUTH THIRD STREET, PHILADELPHIA. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER L 






PAGB 


Introductory, . 


. 5 


CHAPTER II. 




Its nature and authority, 


10 



CHAPTER III. 

Pastoral qualifications, . . .23 

APPENDIX. 
My call to the gospel ministry, . , 68 

The installation, . . . .86 

My first charge, .... 94 

(3) 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

The writer's idea of a Pastor has 
been entertained from early life ; in 
some things, visionary perhaps, but 
mostly conformed, so far as it went, to 
what he has been led to understand of 
this relation, from after experience, and 
from the sacred Scriptures. 

After more than a forty years' Pas- 
torate, and now drawing near the ordi- 
nary boundary of human life, when it 
might be expected that his maturer 
views would have some worth, and 

l* 15) 



6 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

while his recollections are still fresh 
and impressed on his own mind ; it has 
been his wish to furnish a little work 
on this subject, which might do good 
when the writer is no more. 

But there are obviously difficulties, 
in furnishing a Pastorate, which should 
include one's own experience. 

The difficulties are, first, that no man 
is willing to write the whole of his own 
experience, as fidelity might seem to 
require. A faithful and full journal 
would reveal much to humble him be- 
fore men, and this, unless required in 
justice to others, must be omitted and 
left before God alone. It is only there- 
fore by judicious selections that this 
difficulty can be avoided ; the writer 
must confine himself to such facts and 
examples, as he is willing to be re- 
sponsible for before his fellow-men, 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 7 

and by which he hopes to profit without 
injuring. 

The other difficulty is kindred to 
this ; and consists in the fact, that if a 
Pastor should tell all his trials and 
difficulties, and offer his present views 
of them, together with his joys and 
sorrows in one of the most sacred re- 
lations of life, he might seem to violate 
confidences in some instances, while in 
other revelations, he must undoubtedly 
expose human errors, and thus give 
offence. 

It has been in obedience to this con- 
sideration, more than to any other, 
probably, that so many good men have 
declined to give their experience to 
the world ; and Pastorates which have 
been prepared for the press, have after- 
wards been kept back. 

But we do not. see, that this objec- 



8 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

tion should suppress a statement of 
useful truths, provided, as before, that 
only a judicious selection be offered. 
Examples are the world's property and 
must not be lost ; they need not be, 
provided that every man in giving them 
will remember to write " nothing which 
dying he would wish to blot." 

On the whole, the writer of the fol- 
lowing pages humbly and prayerfully, 
he trusts, concluded to go forward. 

He was well aware that valuable 
Essays on the Pastoral charge are al- 
ready extant, but it has ever appeared 
to him, that these Treatises are for the 
most part too abstract, and the pre- 
cepts, advice, and directions given, not 
all that is wanted, especially by the 
present generation. We want a Pas- 
torate a little more experimental, if I 
may so speak ; a work, with which 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 9 

should be mingled what a man has seen 
and felt, and been connected with, and 
to show what are his views of the 
whole on a sober review, at the evening 
of his days.* 

This has been the scope, the inten- 
tion at least, of this little production. 
Should a further apology be necessary 
for such an employment of time, it 
might be found in the diversion of mind 
it has furnished, when that diversion 
was much needed. 

Beaver dam, Wisconsin, June 1859. 

* The late Dr. Yale, it was said, left such a work, 
and no man certainly was more capable. But for 
some reason it has never yet been published. 



CHAPTER II. 

ITS NATURE AND AUTHORITY. 

The Hebrew word, translated Pastor 
or Shepherd, describes an office ; and 
the general idea is that of a leader 
and ruler, or one who provides for and 
feeds his flock. Thus kings were 
called shepherds of old, and Christ is em- 
phatically "the good Shepherd," who 
was also to be "Ruler over Israel," (see 
Mic. v. 2.) It has its variations, of 
course, according to the position of the 
person to whom it is applied. Thus 
God himself is a Shepherd (Ps. xxii.), 
and Moses was a shepherd (Isa. liii. 
11), and the prophets and teachers 

of Gods people addressed in their 
(10) 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 11 

general capacity, under the Old Testa- 
ment dispensation. But the normal 
idea, that of ruling and feeding, is re- 
tained in them all.* 

Whatever then pertains to leading, 
directing, defending, feeding, or govern- 
ing a flock, over which one is set, be- 
longs to the office of the Pastor or 
shepherd. His it is to see that they 
are provided for in all things intended 
by this important relation. To lead 
them aright, to protect them in danger, 
to feed them with knowledge, to restore 
them when they wander, and if need 
be to restrain them with salutary dis- 
cipline; in one word, to be, in this re- 
lation, what Christ was to his flock 



* In conformity to this also, is the use of two 
Greek words (/3o<tku and noinaivu) in Christ's com- 
mands to Peter. — (See John xxi. 15, 16.) 



12 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

on earth, an under shepherd, giving, if 
need be, " his life for the sheep." In- 
teresting and delightful, as well as 
solemn relation ! Is there authority 
for such a relation now ? This is 
what we next propose to inquire. 
And we may remark here: 1. The 
fact that God did so abundantly provide 
this relation for his people in ancient 
times, would be a presumption in favour 
of expecting it now, unless it could be 
shown that the circumstances were es- 
sentially different. That he set over 
them a Moses, and David, and Nehe- 
miah, and all the prophets, under the 
name of shepherds, would lead us to look 
for this office to be perpetuated, when 
human w r ants and circumstances are 
essentially the same. 

2. But the language of prophecy is 
explicit and very forcible, as it plainly 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 13 

refers to the glory and felicity of the 
church in the latter day. In Jer. iii. 15, 
God graciously promises, that he will 
give his people " pastors after his own 
heart." But this shall be when " they 
shall call Jerusalem the throne of 
the Lord, and all nations shall be 
gathered unto it," (v. 17.) 

3. Refer we now to New Testament 
authority. And what can be more 
express, or more interesting, than the 
parable of the good shepherd (John x. 
1), as pronounced by Christ himself? 
Here Christ is emphatically "the good 
Shepherd," and then all other shep- 
herds are required to be like him, enter- 
ing the sheep-fold by the same door, 
and exercising the same functions, as 
respects the flock. How can any one 
read this most touching of all the 
parables, and doubt whether Christ 



14 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

intended to perpetuate this office in 
his church ? 

4. And conclusively, we have this 
office expressly mentioned, as among 
those ascension gifts which Christ pro- 
vided "for the perfecting of the saints. 7 ' 
Wherefore when he ascended on high, 
he gave gifts to men : — and " he gave 
some apostles, and some prophets, and 
some evangelists, and some Pastors, 
poimenas, and teachers, for the perfecting 
of the saints, for the work of the minis- 
try, for the edifying of the body of 
Christ." Eph. iv. 8-12. 

5. Nor is the practice of the church, 
during the apostolic age, on this subject, 
at all to be doubted, although the 
names given to these rulers in particu- 
lar churches are somewhat various. 
Sometimes it is Elders (presbuteroi) , 
and sometimes Bishops (episcopoi) . But 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 15 

they were equally overseers of the 
flock, and that flock was in a particular 
city. See Acts xx. 17, &c. In the same 
manner Paul and Silas ordained them 
Elders in every city. Acts xiv. 23. 
And such, as we think, were those 
Elders, who were appointed " in Crete," 
(Tit. i. 5,) that there might be " noth- 
ing wanting to the churches/' For this 
Elder is called a Bishop in the 7th 
verse, and then his duties are so de- 
scribed, as clearly to show that the 
office intended is that of a particular 
Pastor. See also 1 Tim. iii. 

Now some of these Elders may have 
been merely Ruling Elders, but it is 
certain all were not; and then the 
whole manifest truth is this, that the 
apostles did not consider any church 
wholly provided for, even in their day, 
without a Pastor or Pastors. 



16 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

6. We might mention in conclusion 
of these New Testament authorities, a 
somewhat disputed passage in Rev.iii. 
and onward, where messages are ad- 
dressed to " the angels of the churches." 
It has always seemed to us most reas- 
onable to understand by these " angels" 
the particular and responsible heads 
of the several churches ; nor do we 
conceive that the doctrine of the parity 
of the ministry is at all endangered by 
this admission. But whatever may be 
supposed, as meant, whether one or 
many are addressed ; whether one was 
superior or all equal, as we believe ; the 
bearing is the same on our argument, 
since an angel for each church is here 
found, and the case shows how carefully 
God provided that their churches should 
not want Pastors. 

Thus end, at present, our scriptural 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 17 

authorities.* And we may now add, that 
the history of the church, so far as it 
goes, is to the same purport. Immedi- 
ately after the death of the Apostles, 
Elders, also called Bishops or overseers, 
were found in all the more important 
churches. Even after some began to 
be called Bishops as a more distinctive . 
title, there appears to have been one 
at least to every particular church, and 
the duties they discharged were those 
of parochial ministers. 

* " The angel of the church," says Yitringa, " is a 
phrase borrowed from the Synagogue, and was given to 
experienced and learned men, especially to Doctors (or 
teachers), who were usually delegated to pray for the 
public assembly, whether in ordinary or extraordinary 
cases ; so that by the angels of the churches, must be 
understood those Rulers of the christian church, whose 
office it was to offer up public prayers in the church, to 
manage sacred concerns, and discourse to the people." 
(Yitringa. as quoted by Mason on Episcopacy, p. 148.) 
2* 



18 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

Even Ignatius of the second century, 
to whom our Episcopal brethren are 
so fond of referring, is evidently for 
the most part speaking of parochial 
Pastors, (see Dr. Miller on the Christian 
Ministry.) 

The same conclusion was arrived at 
by an eminent Professor in one of our 
colleges, T. Lewis, LL. D., who was 
studying the Fathers merely for the 
Greek. 

But there is abundant evidence that 
the order of the ministry was gradually 
changed about this time through inordi- 
nate ambition. We soon find the name 
and office of a Bishop assuming a 
higher and more distinctive grade, and 
thus have also Diocesans, Metropolitans, 
and Archbishops, until we arrive at the 
embodiment of all unholy assumption 
in the Pope of the seventh century. 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 19 

All this does not invalidate, but 
rather confirms our argument ; since 
there were doubtless some humbler 
Pastors still : nay, the idea of a Pas- 
torate was clearly implied in the higher 
orders, though thus mixed up with a 
secular and corrupt system. We find 
accordingly, in the middle ages, the 
significant ceremony of the ring and 
crozier on inducting these men into of- 
fice. They were thus made shepherds, 
or were married to the universal church, 
if not to its particular departments. 

In the time of the Saxon Reforma- 
tion, we suppose it will not be denied that 
they had their local ministry, whether 
under the name of Bishops, Priests, 
Pastors, or others. D'Aubign6 speaks 
repeatedly of the parochial clergy; and 
says, these were they who denied their 



20 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

pulpits to the reforming preachers. 
Vol. ii. p. 113. 

The reformed churches generally 
adopted a system of church polity, in 
which this office is recognized and re- 
garded as highly important. 

In Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Swit- 
zerland, England, and Scotland, the 
office was early introduced, and still 
continues, under somewhat variant 
names, but alwa}^s with the same 
essential nature and object. There are 
evangelists, and other teachers, and 
rulers indeed ; but always there were 
stated Pastors. Our fathers never con- 
sidered the church as complete without 
them. 

The only essential exception would 
seem to be in the itinerant system of the 
Wesleyan Methodists : but even here 
arrangements are made for supplying 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 21 

certain churches by local preachers, and 
this relation, we are told, is often con- 
tinued for an indefinite time. Thus 
something like a Pastoral relation 
seems to be acknowledged even here. 
The s}'stem of Wesley was thought 
expedient at first : and we have no 
objection that it be continued with 
them ; for, we doubt not, it has often 
done much good. It is very doubtful, 
however, whether it has not done its 
work, and that a better and more en- 
during scheme will finally be adopted. 
One thing is perfectly manifest from 
this whole review. The Pastoral re- 
lation seems to have its foundation in 
the very nature of human wants. It 
is found accordingly in the old dispen- 
sation and in the new. It is found in 
all the history of the christian church, 
in all her better states, and wherever 



22 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

a healthful order, or an edifying super- 
vision and stated instruction has been 
cared for. It is God's ordinance, and 
to despise it or treat it lightly, is to 
depart from scriptural authority, and 
suffer more or less in the results. 

We do not teach, by these remarks, 
that none other than Pastors are to be 
recognized in our churches. The same 
authority warrants the use of evangel- 
ists, missionaries, and other teachers in 
certain circumstances. Let them be 
provided to all suitable extent ; but 
never to the setting aside of Pastors, 
the more important relation. 



CHAPTER III. 

PASTORAL QUALIFICATIONS. 

These should be well understood, 
and duly pondered ; since without this, 
the abstract authority is of little use, 
and no man could satisfactorily know 
what is his duty or his rational pros- 
pects. It is for want of duly consider- 
ing before hand, what is reasonably 
expected in this calling, that some men 
have so entirely failed here ; until, like 
Scott and Chalmers, they have after- 
wards been converted ; or they have 
remained only to be a curse to the 
church in a dead and heartless formality. 
We shall therefore give a somewhat 

(23) 



24 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

more extended discussion to this part 
of our subject. 

1. And the first of all qualifications 
must be, undoubtedly, a satisfactory evi- 
dence of sincere and deep heart piety. 
This is requisite to all office bearing 
or private membership in a church, and 
indeed to every individual in reference 
to his eternal interests ; but what we 
mean now to say is, that the man, who 
aspires to the ministry, should have 
this piety in some eminent degree. 
Unless it is deep, sincere, and truly 
spiritual, he cannot hope for either 
success or comfort in this high calling. 
" God," says Paul, " who commanded 
the light to shine out of darkness, hath 
shined into our hearts, to give the 
light of the knowledge of the glory of 
God in the face of Jesus Christ." " We 
believe, and therefore speak." " Lovest 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 25 

thou me ?" said the Saviour to Peter ; 
"feed my sheep, feed my lambs." 
"I will/' saith God, "give them pas- 
tors after my own heart." 

None of the truly great preachers, 
whom God has raised up, have failed 
to give evidence that this was their 
character ; while many of the most 
successful have had little else to 
distinguish them. In this way does 
God humble the pride of man, and give 
evidence that success is not by might 
nor by power, but by his Spirit. 

2. Competent natural gifts. In the 
old dispensation, a man was not permit- 
ted to serve at the altar who was in any 
way deformed in body ; much more is 
it reasonably required, that there 
should be appropriate mental gifts. 
The Pastor should be apt to teach, and 
it is evident that a good mind, ability to 



26 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

acquire learning, and ability for accept- 
able public speaking, will be necessary. 
We are aware that these endowments 
are not possessed in a prominent de- 
gree at once, even in those who are 
finally found competent. Much may 
be done by improvement here, and 
very great obstacles (especially in the 
ability of speaking) are sometimes 
surmounted. But a radical and insur- 
mountable difficulty, in any of these 
particulars, would, we think, disqualify 
for this profession. 

3. Next, of course, must be consid- 
ered, what is usually styled, a call of 
God to the ministry. We believe in this. 
u No man taketh this honour to him- 
self ; but he that is called of God, as 
was Aaron." Yet is not this call, in 
all instances, equally distinct and un- 
questionable. Men have been called 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

of God. by voices, or visions, as were 
Moses and Jacob ; but it is equally cer- 
tain that some have been more silently 
and gradually drawn like Jeremiah and 
John the Baptist; and as it is of this lat- 
ter class that most men probably are now 
brought into the ministry, it becomes a 
question for careful inquiry, in what 
particulars this call is to be sought. 

(1) We would say then (assuming 
that decided piety, on which we have 
before insisted) that such an one is 
conscious of a strong drawing of soul to- 
wards this calling, and an intelligent 
choice of it, so far as he can understand 
its nature and requirements. He " de- 
sires the office of a Bishop." 

We do not suppose indeed that he 
ever does fully understand it before- 
hand ; perhaps it is best that he does not. 
But, so far as he does understand the 



28 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

nature of the calling, and looking at it, 
frequently and honestly, he does de- 
cidedly choose the calling, and feels 
that he could not well be contented 
in any other. This drawing is fre- 
quently continued for a long time, some- 
times even from childhood. He can- 
not relinquish it, and he comes at last 
to conclude he must and will go for- 
ward. 

(2.) Connected with this, then, there 
is a leading Providence, and the open- 
ing of a practical way for making 
necessary acquisitions. We suppose, 
for instance, some good degree of 
human learning, with theological study 
and the exercise of gifts, to be necessary. 
Miracles are not expected for the ac- 
quisition of these, and if the way were 
entirely hedged up, therefore, and one 
absolutely could not get forward, it would 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 29 

be an evidence that he was not called. 

But the contrary is, sooner or later, 

the pleasing experience of him we are 

now considering. If able to sustain 

his own expenditures, if rich, or the 

son of the rich, he gives himself to 

study on his own account, and his 

health permits him earnestly to pursue 

it ; if poor, he finds patronage and 

help, so far as he needs, and sometimes 

when his way seems most dark, and he 

hardly knows how he is to proceed any 

farther, God wonderfully opens some 

other door, new friends are raised up, 

he is sustained, encouraged, and finally 

succeeds. This is what we mean by a 

leading Providence, and we know of no 

more pleasing employment, than to 

look back in after life, and trace this 

river of mercies, in all its remarkable 

wanderings. 
3* 



30 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

( 3.) Suppose one thing more now, 
and this full call to the gospel ministry 
is completed. The candidate is sanc- 
tioned by others. Those already in the 
ministry, with other proper officers of 
the church, examine and approve him. 
He is found having the qualifications 
which have been noticed. He is pious, 
has competent natural gifts, has been 
drawn by strong desires to this calling, 
God has opened the door, and he is ap- 
proved. He is considered as compe- 
tent, is licensed to preach, and in due 
time ordained, or advanced to the full 
work of the ministry. 

(4.) We mention in the next place, 
that he should be a man having very 
humble views of himself, and of his 
sufficiency for this calling. " Who," 
says Paul, u is sufficient for these 
things V or who indeed, of mortal birth, 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 31 

can be. when the whole nature of the 
calling is duly considered ? We said 
before, that it is best perhaps that 
young candidates for the ministry do 
not fully understand beforehand the 
difficulties and responsibility of the call- 
ing, for who then would, in ordinary 
cases, dare to go forward ? 

Moses, under the clearest call, be- 
sought the Lord, " to send by whom he 
would send ;" and Isaiah, on a like occa- 
sion, cried out that he was undone, be- 
cause " his eyes had seen the king, the 
Lord of hosts." But fear not, ingenuous 
and truly humble young man. Isaiah 
was qualified when his lips were touched 
with a live coal from off the altar ; and 
Moses, when once he had properly 
entered upon his office, never repented 
it, and was abundantly successful. 

But we speak now of a case where 



32 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

this humbling sense of one's self is sup- 
posed to be wanting ; and we hesitate 
not to say that one who did not regard 
himself as an "earthen vessel," un- 
worthy, and entirely unfit in himself 
forbearing such a treasure : who thought 
he was sufficient for those things — 
had exalted views of his talents — and 
felt that he might look for distinguished 
stations in the ministry, would by this 
give mournful evidence of a wrong 
spirit, and probably meet with sore dis- 
appointment. 

Might the writer refer to his own 
experience here, he would say, that at 
the time of his ordination and installa- 
tion, long and ardently as he had been 
desiring it, this feeling of unfitness had 
nearly overcome him. He felt, for a 
moment, that he could not go forward, 
and he hardly knows what he should 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 33 

have done, had not an aged friend 
gone aside and prayed with him in a 
neighbouring grove, 

( 5.) We allude to another qualifica- 
tion of the Pastor in saying that affec- 
tionateness of disposition is exceedingly 
desirable, if not indispensable. John 
was naturally affectionate, and* Peter 
acquired it through grace, until (as 
appears by his Epistles) he was as 
sweet tempered and condescending as 
John; indeed when we consider, that 
the Pastor has to visit the flock, 
comfort the afflicted, bear with the 
ignorant, and lead back those that 
wander from the path of duty, we do 
not see how the qualification we are 
now considering can well be dispensed 
with. 

But especially is this seen, in the 
relation which the true Pastor holds 



34 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

to the lambs of the flock. Them he 
is to feed (bosko) — feed them " with 
milk," entice and draw them, to love 
first God, and as a means, himself. A 
large portion of the Pastor's duties in- 
deed is concerned with children. Chil- 
dren are pre-eminently observing of 
the disposition of those who deal with 
them ; and we should hesitate very 
much " to lay hands " on any man, 
who was too rough, or austere, to win 
the minds of children. 

On the other hand, what more appro- 
priate, what more lovely, and rewarding, 
than to have the children of a flock 
show that they do love, as well as re- 
verence their Pastor ! to rejoice, when 
one comes to their houses ! to arrest 
him, when met in the streets, and 
" pluck his gown to share the good 
man's smile ?" Such a Pastor was the 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 35 

late Daniel Baker, and we are not sure, 
that this was not the principal natural 
element in his great success. He loved 
little children, and they loved him. True 
it is that this affectionate sensibility 
exposes the Pastor to keener sufferings, 
on some occasions, for he cannot be the 
stoic under trials : but who would 
wish to forego a quality so necessary, 
and which renders him like his Saviour? 
He was " the good Shepherd," and he 
" carried the lambs in his bosom." 

(6.) But the Pastor must also be a 
man of sound judgment, true prudence, 
and firm decision of mind. He is to 
be a ruler as well as a feeder : he has 
to do with the discipline of the church, 
and thus to deal with a great variety 
of cases in the social, religious, and 
physical conditions of men. On the 
subject of ruling, in general, we re- 



36 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

member a fact of this sort-. A minister, 
after labouring many years with a peo- 
ple, was told by one, on his being about to 
leave them, as an expression of regard, 
but also as describing a defect : " You 
made us love, but not fear you." 
The Pastor thought with himself if he 
could not rule by love, he did not care 
to rule at all; and yet perhaps there 
was importance in the remark. How 
shall the Pastor get along without true 
prudence, without discrimination, with- 
out knowing w T hen to act and when to 
forbear — when to speak, and what to 
say, in the endless variety of cases 
with which he has to deal ? He could 
never say with one, " We did not wish 
our people to pray that we might have 
prudence, but only zeal and boldness." 
Yet prudence is not timorousness, for 
the Pastor must have decision and firm- 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 37 

ness also. At times he will feel that 
he can retreat no further, and then he 
is bold as a lion, and will not " give 
place by subjection, no, not for an 
hour." His discernment will also often 
be put in requisition, by cases of 
physical disease. Many instances of 
mental distress must undoubtedly be re- 
ferred to this, and it would be well, that 
some degree of medical science should 
therefore be possessed, as is more 
generally required in the ministry of 
Scotland. But thus to bind up the 
broken hearted, to probe the wounded 
in order to heal them, and to sit as a 
judge, and the administrator of chas- 
tisement, when necessary, requires an 
admixture of gifts and acquirements, 
which few entirely possess. 

( 7. ) As to preaching, the pre-eminent 
business of the gospel ministry, one 

4 



38 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

comprehensive Scripture will describe 
the whole : the true Pastor " feeds the 
people with knowledge ;" as indeed, 
with what else can he feed them ? He 
is a firm believer himself in the doc- 
trines of the Bible so far as he under- 
stands them. These, therefore, he 
preaches, clearly, discriminatingly, and 
with all boldness and affection. He 
must be his own judge, under his re- 
sponsibility to God, how often and in 
what connections thus to bring forward 
the doctrines. But one thing is certain, 
" the whole counsel of God" must, 
sooner or later, be preached, and in all 
its relations. He offends his Master, 
and wrongs his people if he do not this. 

( 8.) He " gives himself therefore to 
these things," as his appropriate work. 

There are two things, says a distin- 
guished living preacher, which the 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 39 

ministry cannot give away, these are, 
the " ministry of the word, and prayer/' 
Acts vi. 4. Of the last of these we 
shall have occasion to speak in another 
place. But it is of authoritative public 
preaching, and administering the ordi- 
nances, we now speak ; to this they 
are separated as a calling, and should 
so consider it. See Mark xvi. 15, 16. 
It will be profitable often to think of 
this, and most sustaining also, for the 
sweetest of all the promises stands in 
connection with it, " Lo, I am with you 
alway, even unto the end of the world." 
( 9.) We must add here, that Faith, 
Patience, and Hope, will be constantly 
required, and should be sought for as 
indispensable gifts. Faith as the foun- 
dation of all other graces, Patience 
like our Saviour's to endure without 
fainting, and Hope, to look on the 



40 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

brightest side of things. It is exceed- 
ingly desirable, that this last should, 
if possible, be a natural gift. 

For we know well the influence of 
different temperaments; some are nat- 
urally desponding and timorous, others 
cheerful, always looking, so far as 
they are permitted, on the brighter 
prospects. This gift can be cultivated, 
and these prospects are generally war- 
ranted by the promises of Scripture. 
How desirable then — how much does 
it promote our own happiness and that 
of others — how much does it often add 
to our usefulness, when looking on a 
dark cloud, we are able to see it "turn 
its silver linings out !" and to say with 
a good old man, whom we remember, 
"However, there is one bright side to 
this subject." 

(10.) The Pastor should be a man 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 41 

of extensive and liberal acquirements. 
With theology, with languages and 
philosophy, and with all knowledge 
depending on, or connected with, a 
critical acquaintance with the Bible, 
we suppose that no one of the present 
day would think of dispensing. But 
much, which may be called collateral 
knowledge, will be found to be neces- 
sary. He should be extensively ac- 
quainted with history, and the state 
of the nations ; and with the natural 
sciences, if possible ; for here will be 
found some of his finest illustrations, and 
it is just here too, that Sciolists, and 
half learned Infidels, will often assail 
his faith. With mental philosophy and 
even with metaphysics he should be 
in some measure familiar also, since 
it is sometimes necessary to stop the 

mouths of gainsay ers, by showing that 
4* 



42 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

you really know more of their favourite 
subjects than themselves. 

We do not mean that the minister 
of God should be much given to these 
last studies, or often parading this, 
knowledge. He had better not. But 
he should be able to do so ; and in 
order to this, should read many books, 
and keep himself well possessed of 
current literature, as well as his higher 
and more appropriate studies. He can 
hardly be safe himself, or properly lead 
others, without it. 

How great, how extensive, how 
almost indispensable, that full and 
liberal course of acquirements, which 
the minister is now expected to make ! 
If some few men (as we are rejoiced 
to believe) have succeeded without 
this, it is only because God has greatly 
favoured them : but we can truly say, 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 43 

as the result of our own observation, 
that we have known no man, who 
would not have been, as we thought, 
more useful with the advantage of 
liberal acquirements. 

(11.) Something must be said now, 
of the great duty of Pastoral visitation. 
God rebukes his shepherds of old for 
not "searching out," and administering 
to the several members of their flocks. 
See Ezek. xxxiv. 4. " I was sick and 
in prison," says our Saviour, " and ye 
visited me not." 

We lay it down as a requirement of 
God, therefore, and a duty altogether 
necessary' to the prosperity of any 
Pastoral charge, that it should be visited 
for religious purposes, and frequently. 
And yet were the question now pro- 
posed to us, as it sometimes has been, 
In what manner do you prefer to have 



44 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

the duty discharged ? It would not be 
easy to give a specific answer. We 
should have to say as Nettleton once 
said to one, who inquired of him how 
to converse with an anxious sinner, 
" There can no specific rule be given ; 
the great thing is to feel right your- 
self." So here, there are great varieties 
of cases and dispositions. Try to feel 
right yourself, and then go forth and 
meet them in the fear of God. 

We believe this talent is an improv- 
able one. The Pastor should do 
something in this way every week, 
and if possible finish the whole round 
of visitations at least once in a year. 
He should, as far as possible, make 
himself acquainted with the varied 
characters and conditions of his people 
for this purpose; it should be understood 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 45 

beforehand that these visits, at least, 
are to be strictly religious : he should, 
as far as possible, converse with the 
different individuals of the family, and 
all such visits should be sought to be 
closed with prayer. 

Such Pastoral visits do great good. 
They conciliate confidence and affection, 
procure our best materials often for 
sermonizing, comfort the afflicted saint, 
and become, through the Spirit, the 
means of convicting and converting 
sinners. 

On the subject of visiting the sick, 
particularly, we must say a word further. 
We have ever found with Cecil, that it 
is a difficult thing to deal with the 
souls of the sick, especially with the 
unconverted: fidelity here seems to be 
imperatively required, but we have to 
confess for ourselves, that in no part 



46 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

of ministerial duty, are we conscious 
of a greater deficiency. Cases are so 
different, knowledge of divine things 
often so small and deficient ; and the 
patient is suffering too, perhaps feeble 
and timorous, and his friends unwilling 
to have his tranquillity disturbed ; so 
that your own sympathies and kinder 
feelings tempt you to soothe him with 
hope, or at least leave him to go out 
of the world as he is. It is indeed an 
awfully responsible as well as difficult 
duty. It must however be attempted, 
and with right motives and much 
prayer we need not err. To deal with 
the dying saint is more easy, and often 
most delightful as well as profitable. 
Behold then the duties, as far as this 
is concerned, the varied, the tender, 
and responsible duties of the faithful 
Pastor ! He is the good shepherd, he 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 47 

visits the flock. In the words of the 
Poet : he 

" Establishes the strong, restores the weak, 
Reclaims the wanderer, binds the broken heart, 

And trains by every rule 
Of holy discipline to glorious war, 
The sacramental hosts of God's elect." 

Delightful duty ! who would not at- 
tempt it at whatever sacrifice it might 
cost in his more private studies ? But 
it does not require this sacrifice. We 
verily believe a man of regular habits 
will study more, at least to better ad- 
vantage, who devotes a portion of his 
time to Pastoral visitation.* 

(12.) Our description of the good 

* We have dwelt the longer on this branch of our 
subject from the growing conviction we have of the 
importance of Pastors, as distinguished from mere 
preachers. Said a correspondent of the 1ST. Y.Ob- 
server lately, *' If I had but one prayer to offer for the 



48 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

Pastor would not be complete without 
a suggestion as to his domestic rela- 
tions. In general we believe it is 
expedient, as well as according to 
Scripture, that he be a married man ; 
" a bishop must be blameless ; the hus- 
band of one wife/' and " one that ruleth 
well his own house." Indeed, we do 
not see how a stated minister is to 
discharge the whole duties of his pro- 
fession, comfortably or successfully, 
without this help. The wife, if quali- 
fied, may do much to sustain her 
husband, and to take the lead in many 
acts of benevolence and mercy. We 
do not think it would be just, to regard 

interest of Zion, and but one minute to utter that 
prayer, it should be couched in language somewhat 
like the following, ' Lord, for the sake of Jesus 
Christ, give thy children, not great preachers but 
pious pastors.' " 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 49 

her as under the same obligations as 
her husband to these services, or to 
make her a public drudge, as is some- 
times attempted to be done; but she 
may unquestionably be of great service 
in these things, and we have known 
most happy cases, where the wife was 
as her husband's right arm in many 
parts of Pastoral influence. But her 
great mission is no doubt at home ; and 
we do not see how the intelligent 
Pastor, in any ordinary circumstances, 
is to do without this help. She solaces 
him in trials, defends his character, 
sweetens his temper, corrects his errors ; 
and in one word, is an " help meet" for 
him, as every wife was originally de- 
signed to be. She should therefore 
be truly pious, willing to go with her 
husband, wherever his sense of duty 
calls him, and count the cost, when she 



50 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

enters into the connection, to see 
whether she is willing to take this risk. 

In family duties also will her tran- 
scendant worth be felt. The house 
is to be ruled well ; but ministers are 
less prepared for this, on some ac- 
counts, than other persons ; and this 
want seems to be most happily provided 
for in a judicious and a devoted com- 
panion. Hers it is, to be the first 
instructor of her children, to limit the 
range of their indulgences, and to se- 
cure for them good examples in their 
associations. By her is family prayer 
also to be maintained when her com- 
panion is absent. She is to counsel her 
household, and in one word, by all the 
means of God's appointment, to train 
them up in the nurture and admonition 
of the Lord. 

The favoured Pastor, who has a 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 51 

companion with all these qualifications, 
has a treasure indeed, and should ascribe 
it to the Lord. 

(13.) But let us return now to one 
or two more spiritual requirements. 
It seems to us all but indispensable, 
especially at the present day, and in 
this country, that the Pastor should 
be a believer in the doctrine of revivals 
of religion. Assuming now that he re- 
ceives the scriptural view of the Holy 
Spirit's person, nature, and offices, (as 
he must in order to be orthodox,) 
there is yet this more, that he seeks 
his special influences according to the 
modern dispensation. These are some- 
times called revivals of religion, and 
however they may be abused, and in 
whatever form God may be pleased 
to grant them according to his sov- 
ereign will, we believe these dispense- 



52 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

tions to be real, and altogether desir- 
able. But the Pastor or the church 
will not seek for what they do not be- 
lieve in ; and hence the necessity of 
this faith as a doctrinal basis. The 
true Pastor, therefore, believes in and 
earnestly labours to secure this bless- 
ing; he labours in all scriptural methods 
for this ; he prays, he longs for, he ex- 
pects the special outpourings of the 
Holy Spirit. 

(14.) And this leads us to the last 
particular in the requirements now to 
be set forth. The true Pastor is to be 
pre-eminently a man of prayer. This 
was said before on the authority of 
scripture, (Acts vi. 24,) but it seems 
to demand a more particular consider- 
ation. The pre-eminence here required 
is obvious, from the nature of the Pas- 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 53 

tor's position as an intercessor for his 
people, and from all his more private ne- 
cessities. He prays to God in public; 
and here, however we may like what 
are called gifts in prayer, these are not 
what are principally needed. Many 
fluent and eloquent prayers have we 
heard from lips of doubtful piety. 
Still less is public prayer the same as 
exhortation, with which it is too often 
confounded ; it is speaking directly to 
God of our felt wants ; it is a solemn ap- 
proach to the Holy One, and though it be 
a mercy-seat, and therefore a privilege 
to come before it, it would seem that 
no sensible mind could engage in 
prayer, without awe and an hesitating 
carefulness ! Some of the most holy 
men we ever knew, accordingly, were 

brief and hesitating in prayer, though 
5* 



54 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

eloquent and pungent in all their 
other performances.* 

In praying with the sick and dying, 
marvellous results are sometimes wit- 
nessed, evincing that the prayer was 
truly given by the Holy Spirit. 

11 Beside the couch where parting life was laid, 
And terror, guilt, and pain, by turns dismayed, 
The reverend champion stood ; at his control, 
Despair and anguish fled the struggling soul ; 
Comfort came down the trembling wretch to raise, 
And his last faltering accents whispered praise." 

But the man of prayer, he who is 
given to this, will principally evince it 
in his private devotions. He cannot 
but pray in this manner, for he loves 
it as a privilege ; he cannot forego it, 
for a thousand trials and perplexities 



* Nettleton, and Dr. Archibald Alexander were 
striking illustrations of this. 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 55 

of life would be unendurable without 
prayer, and many of them can be men- 
tioned in no other way. And these 
he carries to his heavenly Father ; 
therefore, he prays always ; he prays 
as he walks the streets ; he prays in 
his closet ; he prays like Paul on 
shipboard ; he prays as Hannah did 
when approaching the altar ; he prays 
like the Saviour, in the mountains, and 
by night ; he prays like Daniel, for a 
suffering Zion, thrice a day with his 
face towards Jerusalem; and yet all 
this is private prayer, the spontaneous 
outpourings of a full heart to God. 

Oh ! could we draw near the private 
sanctuaries of these holy men and 
hear their prayers, we should no longer 
wonder at their remarkable success. 
Such a prayer as Luther is reported to 
have offered, as he approached the Diet 



56 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

of Worms, (see D'Aubign6, vol. ii. p. 
223,) explains the wonderful result of 
that most remarkable convocation. The 
truth is that prayer, such prayer " opens 
heaven/' and therefore, if the Pastor 
would succeed in his work, be sustained 
in his trials, or prepare himself for giv- 
ing up his account, he must be given to 
this duty. 

In bringing this whole subject to a 
close, it seems desirable to make one 
or two remarks on other points. And 
our first is on the perpetuity of Pas- 
toral relations. The office is of course 
enduring, and so in our view should a 
particular Pastoral relation be regarded, 
except in special cases. In the lan- 
guage of our formulary for a Call, the 
legal obligation to payment is, of ne- 
cessity, limited to the time " of con- 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 57 

tinuing to be the Pastor." But our 
forms are far from having intended, 
that such connections are merely com- 
mercial, or during the pleasure of 
the parties. So also of special causes 
for a dissolution, when there arises 
real incompetency, or when the call is 
to a higher station or special mission, 
the parties may, no doubt, agree to 
separate ; but always under advice of 
a superior body. But how far is this 
from that light regard to the relation, 
w r hich is too often seen to prevail at 
the present day ! The Pastoral relation 
seems to us to be normal, and to look 
to perpetuity. " I have not hastened 
from being a Pastor, Lord, thou 
knowest." 

Whether this view be correct or not, 
all will agree, that the Pastoral relation 
is a very sacred one ; and that the 



58 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

light and frequent dissolutions which 
occur at the present day, are matter 
of grief and serious alarm. 

A writer in one of our periodicals 
has told us, from his own observation, 
that out of 120 Pastors in four Synods, 
108 had been dismissed in six years : 
and that two congregations actually had 
three pastors a piece in the same time ! 
We have also read, that in 1300 con- 
gregations in Massachusetts, 300 dis- 
missions had taken place in one year ! 
(See the Presbyterian, for Jan. 29, 
1859.) Such a state of things certainly 
indicates something wrong, either in 
the Pastors or their congregations, or 
perhaps in both. Either such relations 
ought never to have been formed, or 
they should have been more enduring. 
The practice in question is a serious 
evil. It is calculated greatly to lower 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 59 

the character of the ministry, and to 
lead to many evils in the church. It 
is seldom effected without divisions 
and heart burnings. Many that are left,- 
feel themselves robbed of their favour- 
ite teachers, and that, as they say, 
to accommodate a few, or on principles 
of mere expediency. It often leads to 
long and painful destitutions. 

We say not so much now of the 
sufferings of the other party. If the 
incumbent chooses to go and first moves 
in the matter, let him go. But this 
is not generally the case, or seldom, 
unless he is driven to it, by what he 
considers as oppression. It may be 
true, as is often said, that one man had 
better suffer than a whole church. But 
his rights ought to be regarded, and 
it should be known also, that he does 
often suffer under such a dispensation. 



60 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

Our view is, that a Pastor should 
have deep natural sensibilities as one 
of his qualifications. He is, as we will 
suppose, strongly attached to his people, 
and how shall he be separated from 
them, without the keenest suffering ? 
We say as before, if he wishes it, we 
have nothing to object; but if (as we 
believe is far more frequently the case) 
it be against his will, or for causes 
that ought not to exist, then it is 
wrong and cruel in the last degree. 

But secondly, we must not, in order 
to escape these evils, reject the Pas- 
toral relation altogether. We have 
heard this advocated. What is the use 
of installations ? Let every one labour, 
when and where he pleases ; stay, or 
go, as he and others can agree, and 
thus escape many of the embarrass- 
ments of a more permanent relation. 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 61 

It were sufficient answer to this sug- 
gestion, to say, that the Pastoral rela- 
tion is authorized by Scripture, as we 
have seen ; but it requires only a 
moment's reflection to see, that such a 
scheme, as is here proposed, would 
defeat some of the most benignant 
objects and influences of ministerial 
labour. Let us have our evangelists 
and our missionaries in their places, 
and let those, who prefer it, addict 
themselves to these labours ; but let it 
not be to the disparagement, much less 
to the setting aside, of the Pastoral re- 
lation. 

And finally, there is a view some- 
times urged at the present day, that 
would seem to destroy altogether the 
distinctive office of the Christian min- 
istry. It is said that the first Chris- 
tian converts " went every where preach- 



62 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

ing the word," and it is hence inferred 
that there is not so much distinction 
between this, and what is called the 
regular ministry. Now, so far as the 
object of this is to show that laymen, 
as welt as others, ought to be more 
active in spreading the tidings of sal- 
vation, we agree, and see good reason 
for urging the duty. But if it is thereby 
taught, or even impressed, that there is 
no distinction between the laity and a 
regular and authorized ministry, then 
we wholly dissent, and think there is 
evil connected > with the representa- 
tion. For authority it is sufficient 
to say here, that the same per- 
sons whom the Saviour commissions 
to preach, he commands also to bap- 
tize and to disciple the nations. See 
Mark xvi. 15, 16. But it cannot be 
shown from the Scriptures, that lay- 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 63 

men ever did baptize or administer ordi- 
nances. Such a dogma was left for 
the church of Rome. Our laymen are 
indeed our fellow-labourers, and they 
have enough of motive, and enough of 
authority, to exert themselves at the 
present day, as we are rejoiced to see that 
many do. But they need not, in order 
to this, be urged by that which is not 
true. To destroy the Scriptural distinc- 
tion between them and the regular min- 
istry would be to introduce confusion 
and every evil work. 

But let us take leave now of all this, 
and return to close with our main sub- 
ject. The authority, the nature, and 
the qualifications of the Pastoral office 
have been discussed, and we have dwelt 
also on some of the practical errors 
related to this subject at the present 
day. The ideal of a good Pastor has 



64 THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 

been dear to us from our youth, and 
we have laboured, in our age, to exalt 
the office. Behold, then, the good 
Pastor. I would present him, as I 
have read of him in Scripture, and in 
the better ages of Scottish history. 
He is the spiritual father of his flock ; 
their teacher, ruler, counsellor, and 
friend. He acts by the authority, and 
is like " the good Shepherd that gave 
his life for the sheep." 

i( I would present him, simple, grave, sincere, 
In doctrine uncorrupt, in lauguage plain, 
And plain in manner, decent, natural, chaste, 
And natural in gesture, much impressed, 
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge, 
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds, 
May feel it too." 

He feeds his people with knowledge ; 
he bears with their infirmities ; conde- 
scends to all, cares for all, feels for all, 



THE PASTORAL OFFICE. 65 

sympathizes with them in afflictions, 
visits, comforts, and presents their 
petitions before God. He leads in every 
good enterprise ; moreover, is a pillar 
in the hour of danger, and looks on- 
ward with hope when others faint and 
are discouraged. The consequence is, 
he is loved and feared, and deeply 
cherished while living, supported and 
upheld in duty, and followed to the 
grave with many tears. 

" But all his higher thoughts are 
fixed on heaven." He does not forget 
that he has a soul to save for himself. 
This therefore he scrutinizes, cultivates, 
and seeks to sanctify ; he grows in 
grace, with the growth of all his years, 
and when his strength fails, and he can 
labour no more, he prays for a peace- 
ful end, and that he may " teach his 

loved children how to die." 
6* 



APPENDIX. 



I have been requested, repeatedly, to 
give some account of my Pastoral life. 
This having been a protracted one, it 
was supposed that it might be instruc- 
tive and perhaps interesting. So far 
as this can illustrate any principles of 
the Pastoral office, which I have dis- 
cussed, or afford hints, guidance, or 
encouragement to others, I have been 
willing to comply with the suggestion. 
But no further. No man would be 
willing to tell to men, the whole of 
his experience. Besides that there are 
trials in every Pastor's life, which he 

could not tell without injury to the 

(67) 



68 MY CALL 

living. In what is offered in this 
appendix, therefore, reference will con- 
stantly be had to this distinction : a 
selection of events and experiences, 
and not a connected and perfect history 
to be offered. 

MY CALL TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 

A call to the gospel ministry ap- 
pears, according to Scripture, to be of 
two kinds : first, that which is distinct 
and received in mature years, like 
that of Aaron, and Isaiah, and Amos, 
or the early apostles ; or that which is 
more silent and running back to the 
beginning of life, and of which no very 
definite account can be given, save in 
early desires, and the leading provi- 
dences of God. Jeremiah, and John 
the Baptist, were consecrated from the 
womb ; David's call to the regal office 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 69 

was silent, early, and gradual, and we 
are inclined to think that most of the 
calls to the ministry, in modern times, 
partake of this character. 

My own call (if I ever was called) 
seems to me to have been remarkably of 
this latter kind. I can scarce remember 
the time when, if I thought of my 
future at all, I did not decidedly and 
unwaveringly think I must be a minister. 
Whether it was from some natural gifts 
of speaking, which happened to be 
early called out ; or from conversation 
in my father's family, by good mis- 
sionaries and others ; or a strong love 
of learning, and a distaste for all other 
pursuits, I know not ; but the fact is 
certain, that from very early life, this 
decision was in me, and I never changed 
or regretted it, unworthy as I have 



70 MY CALL 

now reason to know my views then 
were. 

What is remarkable in my case, and 
what causes me to hesitate much in 
presenting this example to others, I 
have little or no reason to suppose 
that I at that time knew anything of 
true piety. On the contrary, I was as 
thoughtless and selfish as most other 
youngsters of my age; and if ever I 
entertained a satisfactory hope of a 
saving change, it w 7 as not until many 
years afterwards. And yet reviewing 
the whole period now, (presumptuous 
though it may appear,) I cannot but 
think that, in my case at least, there 
was a leading of God in all this, and a 
high and overruling design. 

Besides this long and singular desire, 
there have been some preserving provi- 
dences in my life, which I like now to 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 71 

connect with the same supposition. 
Twice I was rescued from drowning, 
when I had given up all exertions for 
myself. I had fallen in, unobserved 
and alone, and was abandoned ; but 
the hand of a sister was directed that 
way at the last moment, and I was 
" drawn out." Another affecting view 
in this connection which I often take, 
is my deliverances in the hour of 
temptation. In my youth, in my man- 
hood, and even in my public life, I can 
now see, that I often walked on a 
snare, and have been on giddy precipices, 
where, unless I had been held back, I 
should certainly have fallen over, and 
been destroyed. The remembrance of 
these things astonishes and humbles me ; 
but I gather from it at times a new 
hope, that God had something for me 
to do, and for which he was thus 



72 MY CALL 

strangely preserving me. There may 
be danger of vanity and self-adulation 
in this, but I cannot but take this 
view. 

, Another view from which I derive 
a favourable hope, is in remarking 
what was passed through in obtaining 
my preparatory education. 

The difficulties were great, greater 
than can now well be imagined, for 
a poor and unknown young man, to get 
to college and the theological seminary. 
Reared among the mountains of Lake 
George, at a time when it was on the 
very borders of civilization, my father 
a poor man, and with no college nearer 
than Middlebury in Vermont, no Acad- 
emy or High School, which I had 
ever heard of, nearer than about forty 
miles- — I had still such an inexpressible 
thirst for a liberal education as to 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. id 

begin. So I procured Riggs's Latin 
grammar, and made my first recitations 
to the only man in all the region who had 
any acquaintance with these subjects, 
and often when riding on horseback to 
mill, three miles from home. 

I will not detail all that followed. 
If that story is ever told, it must be 
on other pages than these. Only the 
first movement shall be particularized. 
I had heard of an Academy, forty 
miles from us, to the eastward of the 
Lake George mountains. My father 
consented to give me all he had to offer, 
my time and his blessing. 1 took just 
seventy-five cents in my pocket, and 
a change of linen in my hand, and 
persuaded an elder brother to set me 
across the water in a skiff. He set me 
down in a wild and pathless region, on 
the eastern side of the lake, turned 



74 MY CALL 

away, and left me. I felt that the 
Rubicon was then passed ! I found my 
way out of the wilderness at last, the 
next day reached Granville Academy 
made the acquaintance of the excellent 
Salem Town, (then its principal,) en 
gaged my board for a quarter to be paid 
in labour afterwards ; and thus began 
my preparatory course of study. 

What I suffered in going into a 
brick-yard after these delightful months 
were passed, and submitting to the 
hard labour and rough jeers of associates 
in that employment, I need not now 
say. Sufficient, that I lived and en- 
dured. 1 lay in my straw shanty to 
watch the burning kilns by night, had 
for this, the privilege of keeping my 
Latin books by day, and so finally 
finished my Egyptian service. After 
this I procured the more congenial 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 75 

employment of school-keeping, and so 
went on teaching in winter and giving 
myself wholly to study during the other 
months, until a more eligible path 
seemed to be opened. 

I will mention here what might seem 
trifling incidents, did I not regard them 
as providential links in leading to my 
call to the ministry. More than once 
the deciding of an apparent contin- 
gency, as of choosing one road rather 
than another, has determined my des- 
tiny in some important matter. For 
example : I had gone far from home 
among strangers, to seek a school- 
employment for the winter. I re- 
member I was set up for examination, 
in a particular house, as on trial with 
a rival candidate. The decision of the 
Trustees was in my favour ; and I re- 
member that, while thus employed, 



76 MY CALL 

there came into the room a young girl, 
who afterwards became my first wife. 
As this afterwards led to an acquaint- 
ance with a worthy family also, who 
much aided me in the prosecution of my 
preparatory studies, I hope I shall not 
be considered presumptuous in regard- 
ing the incident as one link in the 
leadings of providence. "Who is wise 
and he shall understand these things." 
At length the time came when con- 
sistency required that I should make 
some more decided manifestations with 
regard to my course. I was yet, as I 
supposed, without piety. I experienced 
at times a good deal of distress on ac- 
count of my sinful state ; but I could 
not change it by all my strongest ex- 
ertions, and my heart seemed harder 
than ever. In this state of mind, I 
was one evening asked by a pious 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 77 

female long since gone to her rest, to 
pray in the family, her father being 
absent. I was astonished at her, and 
equally so at myself. For strange as 
it may seem, I complied with her re- 
quest, and I remember using this ex- 
pression in my prayer, for which the 
good friend afterwards reproved me ; 
" Lord, if thou canst hear the prayers 
of an unconverted person, bless this 
family." This incident, small as it 
may seem, put me on the course of a 
more regular observance of the duty 
of prayer, and what was more, in- 
creased my convictions. 

I now went to Presbytery, and pre- 
pared to put m} T self under their care 
as a candidate ! I told them frankly I 
was not yet a professor of religion, and 
did not suppose that I had any reason 

to regard myself as a regenerated 

7* 



78 MY CALL 

person. The good Dr. Coe of Troy, 
who was acquainted with my history, 
and had first encouraged me to study, 
was partial to me, and the motion to 
receive me prevailed. This, I now 
think, was presumptuous : but it was of 
great use to me, and may be regarded, 
perhaps, as another link in my chain 
of Providences. I was now introduced 
to some aid from a Presbyterial fund, 
and advised, as soon as I could con- 
scientiously do so, to make a profes- 
sion of religion and go to College. 

Now came the trial point. I knew 
I ought to be pious : I knew I must 
be pious soon, or become a hypocrite, 
or relinquish my long cherished hopes. 
The struggle was great. I tried to 
pray and think I was sincere. But it 
w T as all north wind : the heavens were 
as brass over me, and I only groaned 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 79 

and strove in vain, until one day, 
standing under an apple tree, (I can 
see that tree now, although it is more 
than forty years since,) as I was 
attempting to pray, there came upon 
me, some how, from without, such a 
sweet sense of God's reconciled favour 
and goodness as I had never expe- 
rienced before. I felt strangely softened. 
I thought I loved God and all mankind, 
and this point of experience it w 7 as, 
which more than any other since 
occurring, except once, when in sickness 
the same afflatus came over me, in- 
duced me at length to hope, and thus 
rolled away my principal difficulties. 

1 soon after connected myself with a 
Presbyterian church in Milton, Saratoga 
County, New York, then under the 
pastoral care of a Mr. McCabe ; and 



80 MY CALL 

the succeeding autumn, entered the 
junior class in Middlebmy College. 

I now came under decidedly more 
favourable influences. Middlebury was 
at that time greatly distinguished for 
revivals of religion. Indeed it was 
said that no class had ever passed a 
collegiate course there, without wit- 
nessing at least one of these displays 
of divine mercy. I was treated aa 
one expected to be active in them ; 
and with such associations as I then 
enjoyed, with such men as the Mortons, 
Weeks, Aliens, Hoyts, Fisks, Larneds, 
and Parsons, of that institution, — men 
who have since been known extensively, 
it is to be hoped at least, that I did 
somewhat grow in grace and religious 
experience. 

I had indeed some severe trials of 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 81 

my religious hope, but found it on the 
whole more established. 

At length I graduated in 1813, and 
after spending a few months in teaching 
in New York, went to the Princeton 
Seminary. 

I should be ungrateful indeed not to 
mention here, the favourable and un- 
expected aids I received in New York, 
and especially from D. S. L., Esq, 
who, I have reason to believe, is still 
among the living. I hardly know how 
I first became acquainted with this 
gentleman, but do know and trust I 
shall never forget what he did for me 
in my time of need. He took me to 
his house, as a home ; where for months 
and indeed years, I was ever received 
by him and his excellent family as a 
son and brother. 

He loaned me money, bought books 



82 MY CALL 

for me, introduced me to his Pastor, 
(the Rev. Dr. Romeyn.) and finally 
through his means and others, it was 
that I came on to the scholarship of a 
benevolent institution, and was thus 
enabled to pursue my studies. 

" The monarch may forget the crown, 

That od his head an hour hath been ; 
The bridegroom may forget the bride 

Was made his own yestreen ; 
The mother may forget the bairn,- 

That smiles so sweetly on her knee ; 
But I'll remember thee, Glencairn, 

And a' that thou hast been to me ! 

I was here, of course, at the very 
summit of my religious privileges. This 
institution w r as just commencing its 
distinguished career. I was in its 
second class, and under the direction 
of such men as Drs. Alexander and 
Miller, could not fail to appreciate my 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 83 

advantages. With good libraries, and 
faithful instructors, with the great 
object constantly urged upon our atten- 
tion, of attaining to eminent piety and 
a full preparation for our profession ; 
with the best associations, and many 
special arrangements for improving 
our gifts, I thought then, as I do now, 
that the young man who did not im- 
prove under the advantages of such a 
school, might well conclude that there 
was something radically defective in 
his previous qualifications. 

I was accordingly much tried at 
times, as I believe all the pupils were, 
as to the genuineness of my religious 
iope. But there was a clearer sky after 
the dark clouds. We were encouraged 
to attend on Sabbath-schools, and 
prayer-meetings in the neighbourhood ; 
some of us held meetings with the 



84 MY CALL 

coloured people. We had also, at that 
time, much religious intercourse with 
the college, and bore some humble 
part in the great revival of 1815, of 
which an account has been given by 
Dr. Green. 

Thus the time sped swiftly away, 
and after two years, I deemed it my 
duty to seek license to preach the 
gospel. I accordingly applied to the old 
first Presbytery of New- York, (under 
whose care I then was,) was examined, 
and finally licensed in the fall of 1815. 
This was not, however, until after 
another sore trial, (such as I had often 
experienced before,) of being brought 
to an extremity and fearing I was 
about to fail. After arriving in New 
York to meet the Presbytery, I had a 
sore attack of sickness. But the good 
providence of God, through the kind 



TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 85 

care of my friends, prevailed to throw 
it off, just in time for me to proceed ! 
I preached my first sermon in Dr. 
Spring's lecture room, on a Thursday 
evening, and proceeding up the river, 
spent my Sabbath with the excellent 
Dr. Chester, at Hudson. As my 
preaching seemed to be approved, and 
as I was enabled to supply a pulpit 
the succeeding winter in Milton, my 
old place of preparatory stud}', and 
near to the place in which I finally 
settled the next year, I suppose I 
may consider my trial course as here 
ending. 

If I ever was called to the ministry, 
it was through this long and varied 
course of experiences, such as have 
now been detailed. I do not present the 
case as a perfect example for any 
others ; but to me at least there is a 

8 



8 6 THE INSTALLATION. 

growing interest in all its steps, and I 
have presented it in the hope it might 
be instructive to others, perhaps en- 



couraging. 



THE INSTALLATION. 

It was a bright October day, in 
1816, that a } r oung candidate for the 
pastoral office approached the con- 
summation of his long cherished desire. 
He had struggled through many weary 
years of difficulty, to reach the goal, 
and such difficulties as are not now 
known to poor young men seeking the 
gospel ministry. God had sustained 
him, and the desire of his heart was 
about to be realized. The sun shone 
brightly ; the circumstances were fa- 
vourable, and all smiled around him. 
Yet was he sad, for the time, and it 
did seem as if he could go no farther. 



THE INSTALLATION. 87 

Such views of the responsibilities and 
difficulties of the office as I had never 
entertained before, as well as of my 
own entire unworthiness oppressed me 
almost to sinking, and I do not know 
but I should have actually drawn back 
and delayed the installation, had I 
not providentially fallen in with an 
excellent old deacon, from Vermont, 
to whom I opened my mind, and who 
greatly strengthened and encouraged 
me. He went aside with me to the 
woods. I remember now the tree and 
the log where we prayed together ; he 
gave me good advice ; I was re-invig- 
orated ; we went back, and the cere- 
mony proceeded. 

The Rev. Hooper dimming, then of 
Schenectady, preached the sermon; 
(with that name sad and awful remem- 
brances come, but I do not choose to 



88 THE INSTALLATION. 

write them now). The venerable Dr. 
Nott charged the candidate, giving 
" his son " much excellent and affec- 
tionate advice ; dear brother H. Wood, 
who has slept for more than thirty 
years in his early grave at Amster- 
dam, New York, gave the charge to 
the people, and the solemn ceremony 
proceeded. Kneeling down before 
that old pulpit, with vows, and praj^ers, 
and laying on of the hands of the 
Presbytery, I was set apart to that 
high office, which, however it has 
oppressed, and at times almost over- 
whelmed me, I have never since re- 
gretted or desired to lay aside. 

There was now a cordial joining of 
hands between me and a beloved peo- 
ple, and many a congratulation passed 
as on a glad occasion. 

Still I was in a measure sad, and 



THE INSTALLATION. 89 

could not at once regain my equanimity. 
But my good old father, who had 
come some eighty miles to be present 
on the occasion, seemed to enter, more 
than others, into the Irue nature of my 
feelings; and another friend, Mr. J — , 
of Albany, who is still among the living*, 
was as a sympathizing brother w 7 ith 
me that evening ; and so as we sung, 

11 Let me but hear my Saviour say, 
Strength shall be equal to thy day," 

and bowed again in special prayer, I 
became composed, retired to rest, and 
arose next morning to begin a minis- 
try, which is not yet ended. 

Most of those my coevals have long 
since, gone to their account ; " the 
scene is afar," but it is not dim, and 
I derive some of my most pleasing 
meditations, and helps to confidence 

8* 



90 THE INSTALLATION. 

in God, from the recollection of u all 
the way in which the Lord hath led 
me." 

I have passed through many trials, 
(which I shall not now write about,) but . 
one case of difficulty, which I was 
early led to act upon, I will here state, 
as it may be instructive to others. M. 
S. was the first young person I ever 
conversed with, as a christian minister, 
on account of her anxious state as a 
sinner. She sent for me, even before 
my installation, and while yet preach- 
ing in a neighbouring town. She had 
heard me preach, I believe, and was, 
at all events, in a deeply convicted 
state of mind. I found her walking the 
floor and wringing her hands ; she dis- 
closed to me an intelligent, deep, and 
truly distressing state of conviction ; 
she knew she was a sinner, deeply felt 



THE INSTALLATION. 91 

it, confessed her undone and guilty 
case, and had been vainly striving for 
some time to find the true relief. All 
her efforts seemed powerless ; she could 
not obtain what she desired, (as she 
thought,) and she knew not what next 
to do; she was more and more alarmed, 
and had sent for me. 

I further conversed with her, and 
gave her the best directions I could, 
but it did not seem to help her diffi- 
culties. She knew it all before, for she 
had been well instructed ; she knew she 
ought to repent, and to love Christ; she 
knew that he had died to take away 
the sins of the world, and that all these 
benefits were fully offered to her in the 
proclamation of the gospel. But she 
could not get hold of it ; she could not 
exercise faith ; she could not change her 
feelings, and what should she do ? She 



92 THE INSTALLATION. 

tried to pray, but this did not do it; she 
thought she was willing to give up the 
world ; she knew all about it, but she 
could not feel aright, and she feared she 
must perish, though, as it were, in the 
very sight of heaven. 

I began to see that this, though per- 
haps a common case, was a very diffi- 
cult one; and while I paused to consider 
what I should next say, I discovered 
to my satisfaction, that this amiable 
young girl was nervously diseased. I 
was persuaded that it was a case for 
the physician, and that there was little 
opportunity for doing her mind good, 
until certain physical difficulties were 
removed. So I ventured for the first 
time, and with great fears for the re- 
sponsibility, to advise her to seek a 
restoration of her health. I was con- 
vinced that she needed recreation, and 



THE INSTALLATION. 93 

I advised her (without laying aside 
her convictions, by any means) to 
moderate them in some measure, and 
to take a journey. 

It was a fearful responsibility, but I 
ventured on it. She took my advice ; 
she travelled in a private carriage 
into the interior of New York, some 
hundred miles, and was gone for two 
or three months. 

The measure was blessed. The 
season was pleasant, everything diver- 
ted, without dismissing her anxieties ; 
her mind was strengthened ; she re- 
turned in fine health, and I found on 
visiting her, that her feelings were 
tranquil and settled down on a firm 
religious life. 

This female afterwards connected 
herself with the church, and has long 
adorned her religious profession, though 



94 MY FIRST CHARGE. 

subject at times to depression from 
excessive natural nervousness. 

Such cases, I believe, are not un- 
common, and they are certainly very 
difficult. I cannot say with some, how- 
ever, that I think they are hopeless. 
It is indeed a fearful thing to advise 
diversion, lest you finally dissipate all 
seriousness. But when you are sure 
it is connected with physical disease, 
you can do little else ; and it frequently 
does well, if such cases are judiciously 
and prayerfully conducted. 

MY FIRST CHARGE. 

The first nine years of my ministry 
at B — were successful and happy. 
The place was an intelligent country 
congregation of about two thousand 
inhabitants ; had been settled for some 
sixty or seventy years, and was named 



MY FIRST CHARGE. 95 

from the first clergyman, some of whose 
descendants were still amongst us. 
The church, at the time of my instal- 
lation, though united and at peace, was 
in a low state spiritually, and consisted 
of about one hundred and eighty 
members. The call was unanimous ; the 
Trustees made spirited exertions for 
my support ; and a liberal individual 
in Albany furnished me a house free 
of rent. The town at this time was 
scarcely divided with other denomina- 
tions. I was young and sufficiently 
ambitious ; so that few young pastors 
probably have made their first engage- 
ments under more favourable auspices. 
God seemed to favour us ; and the 
result was that, besides clearing our- 
selves from a debt, the church greatly 
increased. I left it, at the close, with 
about four hundred members. I had 



96 MY FIKST CHARGE. 

a good and intelligent eldership, (mostly 
aged men, with some additions of 
young members during my pastorate,) 
with many praying persons, male and 
female. 

But the great and marked peculiar- 
ity was in our revivals of religion. It 
was an era in the history of our churches 
in that region. Revivals, particularly 
those under Nettleton, (of which I have 
attempted to give a history in another 
place,) were frequent, powerful, and, 
as far as mortals can judge, eminently 
spiritual and pure. Of these, it was 
our happy experience to enjoy no less 
than five during the time now con- 
sidered. The results of these visita- 
tions were most happy. The youth 
were almost all gathered into the 
church ; our boundaries were defended 
on every side ; religious influence was 



MY FIRST CHARGE. 97 

decidedly predominant; and such a 
thing as getting up a dance or any 
other doubtful amusement amongst us, 
would have been considered as imprac- 
ticable. Most of our families belonging 
to the church were praying families ; 
the Sabbath was observed ; and pas- 
toral visitation constantly disclosed 
a healthful and growing prosperity. 
What was better, the numerous con- 
verts generally " ran well ;" and after 
many years of inquiry in our Presby- 
teries, it was found, that very few 
cases of apostasy or falling away had 
occurred. 

It is not pretended that no mistakes 
were made, or trials experienced during 
this period. Some of them we can 
see now more clearly than ever, and 
they will be duly chronicled in the 

proper place. But truth requires the 
9 



98 MY FIRST CHARGE. 

favourable statements we have above 
made. Years of varied experience 
have since followed, and much have 
I learned of which I was then ignor- 
ant; but I can never cease to regard 
this as the golden era in the history 
of that people, and the happiest, on 
the whole, of my own life. To God 
be all the glory. 

Of some of the helps to this pros- 
perity, and of some particulars in my 
own experience so far as it may be in- 
structive to others, I shall now speak. 
I have already mentioned one help, in 
my having an excellent eldership, to 
which I may now add my deacons. 
They were all godly, orthodox, and able 
men, and having good report with the 
people. But I had other co-labourers, 
male and female. It was not, indeed, 
yet the day of all those multiplied 



MY FIRST CHARGE. 99 

agencies for doing good which we now 
enjoy. The great American Bible 
Society was organized the same year 
with my settlement, and Sabbath-schools 
were introduced amongst us soon after. 
For the cause of Domestic Missions, 
we did something, through the General 
Assembly ; and I remember our at- 
tempting to aid Foreign Missions, by 
cultivating fields of produce. Happy 
was the day when our young men 
turned out to cultivate those fields 
together ! One of the young men, the 
Rev. Artemas Bishop, is now in the 
Sandwich Islands. 

My manner of preaching on the 
Sabbath was almost wholly mernoriter 
during these years ; but I found it 
extremely laborious ; and though I still 
think it the most perfect of all methods, 
it has been almost wholly discontinued. 



100 MY FIRST CHARGE. 

Besides this I preached much in week- 
ly lectures, and generally extemporan- 
eously. I have often been told, indeed, 
that this was my best manner ; but I 
have never yet dared wholly to dis- 
continue writing. 

These, with numerous prayer meet- 
ings, special seasons at our sacra- 
ments, pastoral visitations, personal 
conversations, and a constant view 
to adapting my preaching to occa- 
sions, made up our usual round of 
means, and these God seemed to ap- 
prove. We never adopted a new 
measure, nor had even a protracted 
meeting, until after the time of Nettle- 
ton. 

But the greatest help, as before said, 
was undoubtedly in our frequent revi- 
vals. These, especially those of 1819 
and 1820, were truly remarkable. They 



MY FIRST CHARGE. 101 

seemed to come in answer to prayer ; 
but often were they amongst us before 
we knew it, and then we had only to 
follow, instead of going before. Here, 
too, we had much help from abroad, 
which ought to be acknowledged. Mr. 
Nettleton preached for us several times, 
and I wish I could well describe one 
of those occasions. The revival had 
already continued for some time, and 
many hopeful converts were numbered. 
But it seemed now to flag, and we 
feared the special season was over. 
At this time, Mr. N. preached for us, 
on a Monday evening in the depth of 
winter. It was good to see the heavy 
burdened sleighs, coming from a dis- 
tance of six, seven, and eight miles, 
to fill our large house with an over- 
flowing congregation. The preacher 
appeared to be unwell that evening ; 

9* 



102 MY FIRST CHARGE* 

but as he walked up to the foot of the 
pulpit, I could see that his nerves were 
braced up, and began to expect some- 
thing from him. He took for his text 
" Escape for thy life ;" and though men 
generally said that Mr. N. was not 
eloquent, I thought if eloquence con- 
sisted in impression, I had never heard 
its like before. He made us to see the 
very burnings of the cities of the plain, 
and succeeded in impressing all those 
lessons of spiritual alarm and rescue 
which this history is calculated to teach. 
The audience, for one hour, was as still 
as the house of death ; many heads fell ; 
the floor in some places was wet with 
tears ; and we found the next day that 
a new and decided impulse had been 
given to the work. 

The whole duration of this revival 
was about three months, and the 



MY FIRST CHAKGE. 103 

number added to the church in con- 
sequence of it, one hundred and sixty. 
It ought to be mentioned, also that the 
Rev. T. MeAuley, then a professor in 
Union College, often came to help us, 
as did also several of his students, 
whom he would bring to us in sleigh 
loads on a Sabbath morning. 

The same work was carried on, and 
with even greater power, in some of 
our neighbouring towns; but we are 
speaking now only from our own ex- 
perience. 

" But if a man live many years and 
rejoice in them all, let him remember 
♦the days of darkness, for they shall be 
many." It is not pretended that 
during this time we had no trials. 
Many errors were committed, undoubt- 
edly, and many afflictions of a more 
private nature were experienced. But 



104 MY FIEST CHARGE. 

what we feel bound to acknowledge is, 
that these were years of great prosperity 
and enjoyment. 

When I pass through this place now, 
as I sometimes do, I can see no school- 
house, and scarcely a private habitation, 
in which I have not held some meeting, 
baptized some child, or attended some 
funeral ; and all the tender associations 
connected therewith come up with a 
rushing torrent almost to overwhelm 
me. That generation is indeed gone, 
and the children I baptized now wear 
gray heads. I often meet with them, to 
be recognized and honoured, in distant 
parts of our country. ♦ 

It was about this time, also, that I 
made my first publication, in "A Series 
of Lectures for Young Professors." It 
is a youthful and imperfect work ; but 
contains the truth, as 1 believe, and I 



MY FIRST CHARGE. 105 

have sometimes thought, might, with a 
careful revision, be made still further 
useful. 

Thus passed, without any essential 
variation, the years of my first settle- 
ment. They were without division, 
without distrust or coldness, so far as 
I know, in a single member of my 
charge ; and they were, by the unmer- 
ited mercies of God, thus prospered. 
I have been less than the least of all 
God's mercies, in myself, and I never 
thought otherwise ; but I may tell, 
without vanity, of what I have seen 
and experienced of the goodness of 
God. 



frT^jvt- lift 






o U 



